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Journal: Best Euro Compact Sport for a Tall Man?

Best Euro Compact Sport for a Tall Man?

By Petrolicious
February 5, 2013

Can you help your fellow Petrolista with this burning issue?

Petrolicious,

I suffer from a burning desire for small European RWD cars. Porsche 912s, BMW 2002s, and Alfa Romeo Giulias are some of the most painfully beautiful automobiles ever assembled. I would really like to get involved with such magnificent vehicles, but I fear that my stature is a limiting factor.

Car enthusiasts of the six-foot-four-inch variety have slim options. Additionally, living in the Midwestern United States makes it a bit challenging to find other car enthusiasts who are into small European classics, and would be willing to let me try their cars on for size. For reference, I drive a R56 MINI Cooper right now, and I fit just fine in it.

Which of the vehicles listed above would be in my best interest to pursue? Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Grant V.

Grant, we feel your pain! Hopefully our readers can provide some sage advice.

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Euro Compact Sports Car Question Tall Man
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Ulrik Kristoffersen
Ulrik Kristoffersen
7 years ago

I am 187cm/6’2″, I fit just fine in my 1967 Alfa Romeo stepnose. Longer trips can be a little hard on the legs, but usually it is not a problem at all

19
Bill Gage
Bill Gage
7 years ago

I am 6’2″ tall. My favorite car was a 1973 Alfa Romeo GTV. It had just enough legroom for me, except that my right knee was too close to the shift lever and steering wheel, especially in second gear. My solution was to buy a used shift lever and carefully bend it in a vice at about a 20 degree angle half way up the lever. This allowed sufficient room for my knee and hand. The next owner was shorter, so he simply reinstalled the original shift lever.

2
Daniel
Daniel
7 years ago

All I’ve got to say is there is a weird amount of head and legroom in my 914 for my 6’5 frame

0
Nagaredama
Nagaredama
7 years ago

Any tall guys have experience with the Alfa GTV6?

2
Scott Hartmann
Scott Hartmann
7 years ago
Reply to  Nagaredama

I am 6’3″, and have owned a 1983 GTV6 and a 1978 Alfetta GT. I fit fine in both of them. Note: neither one had a sunroof

3
Jake Ledbetter
Jake Ledbetter
8 years ago

So I guess I’m 3 years late to this conversation, but I’m 6’8″ and daily drive an e30. 2002s are a squeeze, I have sat in a 964, and it had recaros, but I felt fine. 2002s are still better than e21s though. E21s with optional recaros are a no go. I can be scene as the tall guy at local cars and coffee asking everyone of I can sit in their car. Sat in a lotus exige once. Took two guys to get me out.

2
Thomas Falkiner
Thomas Falkiner
11 years ago

Definitely the 912. In fact I find it more spacious than the later 911 SC. Great car and seriously undervalued at the moment. Scoop one up while they’re still cheap.

0
carson scheller
carson scheller
11 years ago

Grant , I’m 6’5″ and have owner several 356 + a 912 which have plenty of leg + head room, matter of fact the seat were not all the way back . My brother had a 2002 which I enjoyed a few times w/ no issues . giddy up , carson

0
Jace Bird
Jace Bird
11 years ago

I have a ’75 2002 and while i’m not tall (5’11” or so) i feel like i could be a foot taller and still fit easily.

0
Steve Armstrong
Steve Armstrong
11 years ago

I am 6’5 and can easily fit into a BMW 2002. I own a BMW 3.0cs and have plenty of room.

1
Mark Cartechine
Mark Cartechine
11 years ago

You will definitely fit in a BMW 2002 and there are quite a few enthusiast groups out there to assist with anything you can think of. They also have one of the best forums at http://www.bmw2002faq.com that is a great resource. If you live anywhere within reason to Cincinnati, OH, you’ll find plenty of enthusiasts in the Rivertown Gearbusters, search for them on FB. They generally do 2 drives in the spring/fall, various other group caravans to events, etc. I’ve met some great people and had a lot of fun because of my 2002 disease/affliction.

1
Josh Clason
Josh Clason
11 years ago
Reply to  Mark Cartechine

As resident 2002 promotor I wholeheartedly agree. I am 6’2″ and have tons of room in my 2002.

0
Terrence Dorsey
Terrence Dorsey
11 years ago

I’m 6′ 3″ and long in the torso. The early 911/912 has plenty of room, as does BMW 2002 and 320i. Actually, the trick with the Porsche is not so much headroom as steering reach and knee-room. I found a 30mm steering spacer and switched from a 400mm to a later 380mm wheel from 914. Much better. Still looks mostly stock. There are also some period-correct sports seats available (original and high-quality repros) that can help lower the seating position.

Going a little later, the Porsche 944 and VW Scirocco (FWD, unfortunately) both have huge amounts of interior space and highly adjustable seats.

Surprisingly, I fit OK in a Lotus Elan as well as the current Elise. The Elise does have some room to lower the seats a bit from the stock mounting points. Unfortunately, I think the old Elans you’re already sitting pretty much on the floor.

1
Mat smith
Mat smith
11 years ago

I am really surprised you can’t get into a German car. Have you consider altering the seat rails or adjusting the frames? it may not take much adjustment to make the all difference. I am 6’2″ and over the years have sacrificed comfort for the car!

0
Michael Williams
Michael Williams
11 years ago

Grant, I can weigh in on a couple of these. I am 6’3″ and have owned the various Alfa Giulia models (69 and later). It’s a stereotype about Italian cars of the time having odd proportions (short on leg room, long on arm length to the wheel) and the Alfas of this time help keep this alive. You’ll fit pretty good in a Duetto (66-69). The leg room isn’t great but not bad, arm reach is fine and with the top up or down you’ll have plenty of headroom. Later spiders have less leg room, avoid. GTV’s are shy on headroom sadly but if you angle the seat back you can force the fit a bit. Berlinas are fine but boring. Giulia Supers are decent ergonomically too though I’ve only sat in them for a minute or two.

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